PROP Tom Spencer, one of three ever-presents in the Roughyeds’ line-up this season, has decided to retire from rugby league at the age of 31.
As well as studying for a sports science degree at UCLAN in Preston, he runs a gym in Wigan with Jamie Acton and his wife, Lauren, is expecting their first child.
He said:
“Lauren and I had a long discussion about this and it seemed to be the right time to go. I’ve been a rugby league pro since I was 18 and I guess all good things come to an end.
“It seems sad in some ways, but in other ways I’m very excited about this new chapter in my life.
“I’ve had a great time in rugby league and got memories that will stay with me for the rest of my life. I would like to thank all the clubs I’ve been with for the opportunities they’ve given me and everything else they’ve done for me.
“As for Oldham, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time at the club this year. We didn’t get as far as we had hoped or as far as we thought we might get, but I’m convinced the club is on the right lines moving forward and building for the future..
“There are a lot of young lads at the club with lots of potential.
“Stu and Shez are good coaches. They are, without question, the men to take the club forward and I would like to thank them, all the other lads, the backroom staff, the fans and the chairman, Chris Hamilton, for making my time at the club so enjoyable.
“As for my own working life moving forward, it’s very flexible. I hope to get a degree in sports science and we’ll have to wait and see if anything develops from that. Jamie and I also have the gym and there are a wide range of ages and abilities among our clients, from young athletes to more senior, vulnerable people and the elderly.
“Our first little one is due soon and, as you would expect, Lauren and I are massively looking forward to that.”
Tom signed for Wigan Warriors when he was 18 and played in several Super League games before heading down the road to Leigh Centurions where he spent most of his career, often playing alongside men who have been close to him in more recent times such as Stu Littler, Martyn Ridyard and Jamie Acton.
In total he has played in nearly 200 senior games, most of them for Leigh and London Broncos, for whom he played as a sub in that epic Million Pound game against Toronto in Canada, which Broncos won 4-2 to return to Super League in coach Danny Ward’s first season.
He has also had short spells on loan at several clubs, including Oldham and Swinton Lions.
His spell on a part-time deal at Roughyeds, covering the season which has just finished, represented his only part-time experience after he enjoyed something like 12 years as a full-time rugby league forward with Wigan Warriors, mainly with Leigh Centurions and then with London Broncos before returning to Leigh.
In the season just ended, at Oldham, he made 21 starts and one appearance off the bench in a total of 22 games, comprising of 20 Betfred League One games, a play-off at Rochdale and a Challenge Cup tie.
His fellow ever-presents this year were Owen Restall and Emmerson Whittel.
Head coach Stu Littler said:
“It’s sad in one way because Tom wasn’t a player we wanted to lose, but on the other hand he’s a great family man and these things happen in sport when a player decides its time to finish.
“I’ve a lot of time for Tom, both as a player and as a friend.
“He’s got to get the work-life balance right and he’s decided the best thing for his family is to concentrate on his UCLAN studies so we respect that decision and wish him every success in whatever he does in the future,
“I’ve told him we’ll keep in touch, not only because we are interested in what he is doing but also because you never know what the future brings.”
